The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians Shorter and Longer Versions

 Chapter I.—Praise of the Ephesians.

 Chapter II.—Congratulations and entreaties.

 Chapter III.—Exhortations to unity.

 Chapter IV.—The same continued.

 Chapter V.—The praise of unity.

 Chapter VI.—Have respect to the bishop as to Christ Himself.

 Chapter VII.—Beware of false teachers.

 Chapter VIII.—Renewed praise of the Ephesians.

 Chapter IX.—Ye have given no heed to false teachers.

 Chapter X.—Exhortations to prayer, humility, etc.

 Chapter XI.—An exhortation to fear God, etc.

 Chapter XII.—Praise of the Ephesians.

 Chapter XIII.—Exhortation to meet together frequently for the worship of God.

 Chapter XIV.—Exhortations to faith and love.

 Chapter XV.—Exhortation to confess Christ by silence as well as speech.

 Chapter XVI.—The fate of false teachers.

 Chapter XVII.—Beware of false doctrines.

 Chapter XVIII.—The glory of the cross.

 Chapter XIX.—Three celebrated mysteries.

 Chapter XX.—Promise of another letter.

 Chapter XX.—Exhortations to steadfastness and unity.

 Chapter XXI.—Conclusion.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
Shorter and Longer Versions

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning1    Literally, “before the ages.” of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united2    These words may agree with “glory,” but are better applied to the “Church.” and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled grace.

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning3    Literally, “before the ages.” of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united4    These words may agree with “glory,” but are better applied to the “Church.” and elected through the true passion by the will of God the Father, and of our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled joy.5    Some read, as in the shorter recension, “grace.”

ΠΡOΣ EΦEΣIOΥΣ IΓNATIOΣ Ἰγνάτιος, ὁ καὶ Θεοφόρος, τῇ εὐλογημένῃ ἐν μεγέθει θεοῦ πατρὸς πληρώματι, τῇ προωρισμένῃ πρὸ αἰώνων εἶναι διὰ παντὸς εἰς δόξαν παράμονον, ἄτρεπτον ἡνωμένην καὶ ἐκλελεγμένην ἐν πάθει ἀληθινῷ, ἐν θελήματι τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν, τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τῇ ἀξιομακαρίστῳ, τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Ἐφέσῳ τῆς Ἀσίας, πλεῖστα ἐν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ καὶ ἐν ἀμώμῳ χαρᾷ χαίρειν.